Legal team gives some hope

BELGAUM: Members of Karnataka's legal team have given the Shettar government some hope. They say the state will, technically, have to release water only for two days as it takes water 48 hours to reach Biligundlu from KRS, a distance of 240 km.

"If water is released on Wednesday night, it will reach only on Friday. As of now 5,000 cusecs of water is going in the natural flow every day, and the state will have to release another 5,000 cusecs. At the end of two days, Karnataka would have given 2 tmcft of water against Tamil Nadu's requirement of 30 tmcft for the next 15 days,'' they added.

REVIEW PLEA AN OPTION?

"We are seeking legal experts' opinion on filing a review petition,'' water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai said. "Our government is committed to protecting the state's water and land. There's no compromise at any cost. But a hurried decision is not advisable. We will hold further meetings with our legal team before making a decision. We will make our stand clear on Thursday morning,'' chief minister Jagadish Shettar told the legislative assembly. He later met opposition leaders, who reiterated that water shouldn't be released.

Some ministers voiced their concern over the consequences of violating the apex court's order. "About 3,500 cusecs of water is already flowing. We need to release another 6,500 cusecs of water for 3-4 days and it will come to 3 tmcft. It is true that we are distressed, but can anybody disobey the highest court in the country?'' asked a minister.

Soon after the SC verdict, the Congress and JD(S) raised the issue in the legislative assembly and demanded that the government should not release water.

Opposition leader in the assembly Siddaramaiah asked the CM to announce on the floor of the House that it is not possible to release water. "The verdict is unexpected and shocking. If water is released, the state will turn into a battleground. The government should inform the apex court that it cannot release water. Let's face the consequences together,'' he said.

JD(S) members chorused that they had no confidence in the PM-headed Cauvery River Authority or the CMC.